[GH-ISSUE #1750] 2nd monitor is only available as screen mirroring after install #967

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opened 2026-05-05 06:57:35 -06:00 by gitea-mirror · 2 comments

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 06:57:35 -06:00

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Originally created by @tekkfu on GitHub (Apr 23, 2025).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl/issues/1750

Before opening the issue, have you...?

Searched for existing issues
Read through the Monitor-Troubleshooting Wiki
Updated MonitorControl to the latest version (if applicable)

Describe the issue

After I installed app. My 2nd 4k Samsung monitor only can be used via the screen mirroring option in the display settings. My LG monitor works fine. When I unplug my LG monitor and use the Samsung only the Samsung monitor works fine, but once I reconnect the LG one it switches to Mirroring mode only. Even after uninstalling Monitor control I still have the issues. I tried everything but It seems the app did something to cause this behavior.

Is there a file I can deleted in the Mac library that can reset this behavior? I had a issue with my steam deck similar to this and I was able to delete a file to reset the monitor settings

Expected behavior

I expect my monitors to be detected normaily

Anything else?

No response

Environment Information (please complete the following information)

- macOS version:
- Mac model:
- MonitorControl version:
- Monitor(s):
- Monitor Cable(s)/Connection(s):
- Apple Silicon/M1 (yes or no):

Originally created by @tekkfu on GitHub (Apr 23, 2025). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl/issues/1750 ### Before opening the issue, have you...? - [x] Searched for existing issues - [x] Read through [the Monitor-Troubleshooting Wiki](https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl/wiki/Monitor-Troubleshooting) - [x] Updated MonitorControl to the latest version (if applicable) ### Describe the issue After I installed app. My 2nd 4k Samsung monitor only can be used via the screen mirroring option in the display settings. My LG monitor works fine. When I unplug my LG monitor and use the Samsung only the Samsung monitor works fine, but once I reconnect the LG one it switches to Mirroring mode only. Even after uninstalling Monitor control I still have the issues. I tried everything but It seems the app did something to cause this behavior. Is there a file I can deleted in the Mac library that can reset this behavior? I had a issue with my steam deck similar to this and I was able to delete a file to reset the monitor settings ### Expected behavior I expect my monitors to be detected normaily ### Anything else? _No response_ ### Environment Information (please complete the following information) ```markdown - macOS version: - Mac model: - MonitorControl version: - Monitor(s): - Monitor Cable(s)/Connection(s): - Apple Silicon/M1 (yes or no): ```

gitea-mirror closed this issue

2026-05-05 06:57:37 -06:00

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 06:57:43 -06:00

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@tekkfu commented on GitHub (Apr 23, 2025):

found a Fixed

I deleted this file in /library/preferences/com.apple.windowserver.displays.plist then rebooted.

It reset my Mac display settings and fixed the issues.

@tekkfu commented on GitHub (Apr 23, 2025): found a Fixed I deleted this file in /library/preferences/com.apple.windowserver.displays.plist then rebooted. It reset my Mac display settings and fixed the issues.

gitea-mirror commented

2026-05-05 06:57:45 -06:00

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@waydabber commented on GitHub (Apr 23, 2025):

Nice! The issue was probably unrelated to MonitorControl, it's just that macOS remembers display settings on a per layout basis - so if you somehow mirrored your screen (for example by accidentally pressing command+f1), whenever you connected both displays macOS automatically restored the mirrored state.

@waydabber commented on GitHub (Apr 23, 2025): Nice! The issue was probably unrelated to MonitorControl, it's just that macOS remembers display settings on a per layout basis - so if you somehow mirrored your screen (for example by accidentally pressing command+f1), whenever you connected both displays macOS automatically restored the mirrored state.